With the Lumia 920, Nokia entered the world of dual-core flagship phones graced with HD displays, where Apple’s iPhone and many Androids have been dwelling for a while.

Thus the Finns had to create a compelling argument besides those two obligatory features to fight against the iPhone 5 and said Androids, as they would be its main competition for the hearts and minds of consumers this holiday season.

Apple introduced the bravest overhaul to the iPhone so far with the 5th edition, shattering its 3.5” screen dogma, and Nokia logged its first 4.5” phone with more than one processor core, so in a sense both the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 920 are not a simple evolution of what had been before in the iOS and WP universes. Which one pulled it off better? Read on our comparison to find out...

Design

There’s no arguing that the iPhone 5 is one of the most compact and premium material smartphones out there, built out of glass and aluminum alloys. Nokia, on the other hand, threw every top features it was capable of in the Lumia 920, including an OIS camera, resulting in a both thick and heavy chassis, made of polycarbonate in various color choices, and zirconium for the well-situated side keys and the camera plate.

OS keys

Front cameras

The Nokia Lumia 920 (left) and the Apple iPhone 5 (right)

This burly impression from the Lumia 920 holds true in comparison with larger screen phones like the top Androids, too, not only with the iPhone 5. Actually Nokia’s phone is just a 1.5 ounce heavier than the previous iPhone, for instance, yet it’s the combination of heft and girth that will catch you by surprise given today’s smartphone design standards.

Bottom edges

Left

Top

Right

The sides of the Nokia Lumia 920 (bottom) and the Apple iPhone 5 (top)

Still, the tapered back makes the Lumia 920 ergonomic to handle, and its stocky, durable build makes it more suitable for careless owners, whereas the iPhone 5 finds itself in a case very often to escape nicks and scuffs. Just don’t expect easy one-handed operation from the Lumia 920, especially in comparison with the much smaller iPhone 5.

Backs

Rear cameras

The Nokia Lumia 920 (left) and the Apple iPhone 5 (right)

Display

We are looking at perhaps the two best mobile LCD displays with the iPhone 5 and the Lumia 920. The iPhone sports a 4” in-cell touch panel with 640x1136 pixels of resolution, making the pixel density the excellent 326ppi, whereas the Lumia 920 has a 768x1280 pixels display, with nearly the same density, at 332ppi.

Both exhibit very nice images, with the iPhone having almost perfectly calibrated color representation, whereas the Lumia 920 displays slightly more saturation.

The screens are very bright, north of 500 nits, which, coupled with their low reflectance ratio makes them easy to see outside, even under direct sunlight. Nokia employs its ClearBlack filter technology to achieve the low reflectance, which makes it seem a tad dimmer and as if with an extra coating compared to the in-cell touch panel of the iPhone 5. Both phones have top-notch viewing angles from all sides, though the Lumia 920 dims slightly more when you tilt it vertically.

The CIE 1931 xy color gamut chart represents the set (area) of colors that a display can reproduce, with the sRGB colorspace (the highlighted triangle) serving as reference. The chart also provides a visual representation of a display's color accuracy. The small squares across the boundaries of the triangle are the reference points for the various colors, while the small dots are the actual measurements. Ideally, each dot should be positioned on top of its respective square. The 'x: CIE31' and 'y: CIE31' values in the table below the chart indicate the position of each measurement on the chart. 'Y' shows the luminance (in nits) of each measured color, while 'Target Y' is the desired luminance level for that color. Finally, 'ΔE 2000' is the Delta E value of the measured color. Delta E values of below 2 are ideal.

The Color accuracy chart gives an idea of how close a display's measured colors are to their referential values. The first line holds the measured (actual) colors, while the second line holds the reference (target) colors. The closer the actual colors are to the target ones, the better.

The Grayscale accuracy chart shows whether a display has a correct white balance (balance between red, green and blue) across different levels of grey (from dark to bright). The closer the Actual colors are to the Target ones, the better.

It still amazes me at just how awful the iphone looks overall. The icons get lost in the background and just looks messy, despite the grid, it looks cold and uninviting, and the uninspired grade-school-doodle shape and huge bezel makes it look like the toy it is.

That's because of Lumia 920 follows Aalto's principles, where the architectural (physical) design has to match interior (digital) design.

Apple has a mismatch with the physical and digital design. Its physical design looks elegant, and luxurious, almost jewelry, but the icons don't match with the new physical design.

Also, Apple follows Dieter Rams industrial design principles, while Lumia 920 follows Wirkkala's principles where the product should have a warm, organic, natural feel. And it achieves this, because of material and its form, it doesn't feel cold industrial product at all.

What are you talking about? This is one of the most typical PA comparisons ever. They didn't even cover up the formulaic "on one hand... but on the other...." As usual, they say that the iPhone succeeds in the typical sense, with a much stronger ecosystem and comfort factor, but the Lumia succeeds in bringing new features to the table, like OIS and a refreshed WP experience.

Guys.....lets face it..the ipone 5 is a flop...i would prefer to go back to the market and buy myself the iPHONE 4S......i thinks the 4s is way better than the iphone 5 in every quality....nd the picture quality of the iphone 5 its a flop..THUMBS UP to NOKIA for an amazing Camera upgrade in quality

22.Dastrix (unregistered)

I totally agree. The Metro UI is so much more refreshing to look at, as opposed to the now stale, boring, and outdated offerings from Android and iOS. The high contrast and minimalism of Metro UI is stunning, making iOS look obsolete and downright ugly. The L920 is by far more innovative, and that, by itself, justifies the fact that it is a winner! Differentiation is key, in a world of zombie phones that is! :)

Android looking boring and stale compared to WP?!?
Can you please elaborate on that?
You totally shot your self in the mouth with the zombies and differentiation crap.

WP is the most uniformed OS ever, putting the same interface in EVERY phone, regardless of the brand.
And on surface, it hasn't changed at all in two years!
Can you say the same about Android?

Android is..something you actually can't put a visual badge on, at all!
Because YOU are to decide on every aspect of how it will look like.. from start screen (you can even put a windows phone interface damn it ), to menus, icons, fonts, docks, folders, keyboards.. everything.
My phone interface looks exactly how I want it to look like.
Here's your "stale" look:

72.Dastrix (unregistered)

Clearly, your definition of differentiation is incorrect. I'd suggest you brush up on your vocabulary before you bark. Differentiation pertains to the fact that WP's Metro UI is unique. You heard that right. UNIQUE. Not some fancy copycat of iOS that tries too hard to impress with endless customization that only people who got too much time on their hands (like you) find solace in, to seemingly make their phone unique, when it is NOT! That's what makes WP so special. "If you REALLY care about looks, you will put your own effort in that.. and you should definitely choose Android." Dumbest thing I've ever read; you just contradicted yourself here. You mean that the only way to make your Android phone look good is if you put your own time and effort into that?! Talk about an Android fanboy who got all the time in the world to give a damn about looks through customization. WP doesn't even need to give a damn about looks, it already got it for God's sake! Technology is supposed to make society's life easier, not harder!

"Android is..something you actually can't put a visual badge on, at all!" Well, sorry buddy, but that doesn't mean anything, more less make any sense. The very purpose of choosing an ecosystem is to define how you interact with your phone, and your experience in doing so. The WP experience is consistent throughout, unlike Android. That's what makes it really stand out; you CAN put a visual badge on it. Ever wonder why society thinks iMacs are much more awesome than PCs? Well, that's because you CAN put a visual badge on it, buddy!

Sorry, but I am NOT going to start a flame war over which ecosystem is better, and I don't need a damn YouTube video to apparently convince me to join your cavemen. The fact, remains, however, that you haven't proven anything. Truth hurts, I know, but if you can't deal with it, then you'd be better off going back to your cave!

People who come from a design world, care about looks yes. Unfortunately they care about usability and sipmplicity as well. They feel the product should be intuitivite, no need for instructions. It should help them to do their daily work the easiest way possible e.g. by reducing all the unnecessary features which distract them. It is as important what is not in the phone, than what is in the phone.

When people choose an Android phone, they pick it for different reasons than looks and usability. They want to dive into world of customizations. They want to adjust settings until everything feels perfect. And then they adjust some more. They want to multitask. They want to spend time with the gadget. They want to get things done. Lots of things.

no, your android interface looks exactly how google stole it from Apple. Android 1.5 - 2.2 look like copy of ios. Now Google's trying to have its own UI but it made everything more ugly and messy. UI still keeps changing in every version. Have fun with your updates that don't exist. I'm sad that you have lag while you're scrolling down to my comment in the site. Really sorry for your poor android phone.

Guy yes nokia is doing really good and improving....but Android and Ios still control the market REAL TIME....yes apple apply made some mistakes with the iphone 5 glitch...but APPLE has always had a crazy fetish for EXTREME HIGH DEFINITION(Retina Display)
..and adroid is NOT BORING....common..Galaxy SIII,LG Optimus,Xperia,....please those phones are AMAZING and it is insultive to compare Nokia to those phones

I just want to point out that the iphone's Retina Display is not Extreme High Definition. The Lumia 920 and the Windows Phone 8X both have bigger screens, higher resolutions, and higher pixel density than the iphone 5.

iphone 4 had that high resolution. it was released 3 years ago. But now every phone has it. So what do you call that? Everyone stole high resolution from apple. 3 years ago other phones had 320x480 or 480x800 etc..

By your own ridiculous logic, iphone 4 stole their higher definition from the thousands of companies that made HD devices before them, and by the way it's 2013, Apple still have not made a HD phone. Nobody stole the idea of 'higher resolution' you fool, improving an existing feature isn't inventing something, that's like saying apple stole their camera resolution from Samsung. Also the resolution iphone 4 and 4s run at has NEVER been copied, because the phone is a totally different aspect ratio to all other mobile devices. Iphone's cant be 1280x720 due to their oddly tall and thin aspect ratio. So nothing you said was relevant to the comment I made, I said iphone's retina display is not high definition which is true, the iphone falls short of 720p resolution.

38.wp8forever (unregistered)

TO BE HONEST , OR TO BE LIAR , so stop making yourself believe that the lumia 920 isn't the best phone ever made , admitted like everyone has , even android fans , iphone fans , did it just missing you .

I wouldn't say it's the best phone ever made, I would definitely say overall the iphone is a better phone. However I would also say that the Nokia Lumia 920 and the other high end WP8 devices offer much better value for money, and I am personally a much bigger fan of the Windows Phone 8 Operating system than the tired iOS, which doesn't seem to have changed much since it's earliest iterations.

37.wp8forever (unregistered)

TROLL yeah you the one with the username troll you yeah lol , so is all over right , I don't see you saying anything thing about wp8 and lumia 920 bangggggggggg in your face LUMIA 920 best phone aver , ever , ever does anyone have anything no say , no thank you , nokia is back to hit them hard boy , yeah bring the galaxy s4 , bring the iphone 6 , 8 ,9 what ever you want but just remember LUMIA 1000 IS ON THEY WAY TO KILL THEM AGAIN . sent from my white lumia 920 at&t aka best phone ever MADE.

you apple haters think iphone is not good..then tell me why every reviewer goes to test any newest smartphone against iphone....check yourself on internet you will get max videos against iphone...because iphone is the best..!!

its because that's the phone that got the rap as the "cool phone" and its a pile of s**t. really. ive used one. HATE IT. Nokia Lumia 920 is the greatest phone. everyday I use it, I absolutely love it. even my iphone 5 friends are wishing they had my phone. WAY better camera, can use it with gloves, etc. and it looks and feels better. So yay for you! Jumping on the bandwagon so you can be like every other person with an iphone! YAY ARENT YOU SPECIAL?!

The reason is fairly obvious, it's the single device line with the highest market share, so it's usability and functionality are widely known, and therefore a good reference point for basic comparisons, the same way if you were reviewing a new computer OS you would compare it to windows as windows is the market leader.

Why would you say that? You wouldn't want the device to be available with Both Wp8 and Android? That seems silly, some people don't prefer the WP8 OS, I personally prefer it, but many people really like the Lumia 920, but want to remain on Android, I don't see why that's a problem.

You didn't mention 1 thing where Nokia Lumia 920 shines vs iPhone 5 - it has much better quality recorded audio. Nokia Lumia 920 has 3pcs HAAC (High Amplitude Audio Capture) microphones and so the recorded audio is distortion free also at the loudest music performances and it can record also very low bass sound vs iPhone 5 has nonHAAC mics and so the recorded audio at music concert recordings is many times distorted and it can't capture low bass sound.

@Phonearena team can you please give a comparison between One X+ and Lumia 920 coz i am torn between these two smartphones and the date when i pick one of these is very near and i don't want to regret my decision after choosing one of them.

On a side not why you guys have compared One X+ to Iphone 5 only(why not a comparison against Galaxy S3,Optimus G,Nexus 4 and Lumia 920 after all it is the current flagship of HTC).

Good review! I'm loving my 920. Only complaint, just as the article said is app selection. I miss the app store, hell I even miss the play store. Windows marketplace just isn't there yet. But its a lot better than a year ago. I just wish big names would jump on board and Microsoft would stop keeping apps like Hulu and an updated flixter with UV out of it. Oh and also you don't have to slide from the top for signal and battery info, Just tap.

Gameloft are on there way, Rovia and Zynga are already on board. Most of the biggest app companies are in development for WP8 right now, so nothing to worry about buddy, just maybe 2 more months before the marketplace is where you'd like it to be.

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